Toy pistol



w. s. WELLS ETAL Sept. 3, 1963 TOY PISTOL Filed March 10, 1961 4Sheets-Sheet 1 2 My w r H W 0% mi r I m M Sept. 3, 1963 w. s. WELLS ETALTOY PISTOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 10, 1961 United States Patent3,102,527 TDY PISTOL William S. Wells, Palo Alto, Calif., and Richard I.Daniel,

Rogers, Ark, assignors to Daisy Manufacturing Company, Rogers, Ark, acorporation of Nevada Filed Mar. 10, 1961, Ser- No. 94,811 9 Claims.(Cl. 124-27) This invention relates to toy pistols and more particularlyto toy pistols having spring mechanisms for propelling pellets or thelike.

Today, toy pistols are manufactured as highly realistic models of fullscale weapons. In many cases .a substantial replica cannot bemanufactured since most mechanisms for firing pellets or the likeinterfere with the design of an exterior housing which is equivalent tothe housing of a full scale weapon.

An object of this invention therefore is to provide an improved toypistol which has the characteristic shape and size of a real weapon anda spring-propelling mechanism which is highly effective in propellingpellets such as conventional BBs or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved toy pistolhaving a realistic hammer and trigger mechanism which positively cocks acatapulotype spring in a firing position with respect to a pellet or thelike.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved toy pistolhaving a realistic hammer and trigger mechanism which releases acatapult-type spring to fire a pellet or the like from the pistol atrelatively hi h velocities While maintaining a low trigger force.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved toy pistolhaving a catapult-type spring-actuated propelling mechanism which iscocked into a firing position by a realistic appearing hammer mechanismand a jam-proof feed mechanism for positioning pellets or the like withrespect to the propelling mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved toypistol having a catapultetype spring-actuated propelling mechanism incombination with a realistic hammer and trigger mechanism which requiresa substantial positive manual force to move the hammer to load thecatapult-type spring and requires only a small manual force to move thetrigger to release the hammer and the catapult-type spring.

Other objects and features of the novelty of the invention will bespecifically pointed out or otherwise become apparent when referring,for a better understanding of the invention, to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view partially in section and partially in elevation,of a pistol constructed in accordance with the principles of theinvention with the pistols operative mechanism in a fired position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the pistols operativemechanism in a first cocked position;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the pistols operativemechanism in a loading position;

FIGURE 4 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 with the pistols operativemechanism in a ready-to-fire position;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 55 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 6 6 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 77 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 8 8 of FIGURE 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

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FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of a shot follower for feeding pelletsor shot into the pistols operative mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line ill-10of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 11-11 of FIGURE 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 12-l2 of FIGURE 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;and

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional vieW taken substantiallyalong the line 13-13 of FIGURE 4 loolo'ng in the direction of thearrows.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURES 1- 3 illustrate one embodiment of theinvention. Reference numeral 20 generally designates a pistol having anexterior housing which is a substantial replica of a full scale weaponof the type having a hammer-actuated firing mechanism and a cylinder ofseveral chambers so arranged as to revolve on an axis, and be dischargedin succession by the hammer-actuated firing mechanism. The toy pistol 28includes an outer housing 22 which consists of interlocking castings orthe like which surround the operative mechanism of the present inventionand includes a bm'rel or front portion generally designated 24, and astock or rear portion generally designated 26.

A pivot pin 28 mounted in the stock 2 6 pivotally carries a trigger 38which extends through an aperture 32 formed in the housing 22. Thehousing 22 has an integral trigger guard 34 depending from either sideof the aperture 32 and surrounding the trigger 36? for preventingaccidental firing of the pistol.

A pivot pin 36 mounted in the stock 26 pivotally carries a hammer,generally designated 33, which extends through an aperture lllformed inthe housing 22. The hammer 33 and the trigger 3! are full scale replicasof similar elements found in a revolver having a cylinder of severalchambers so arranged as to revolve on an axis, and be discharged insuccession by a hammer-actuated firing mechanism.

The front portion 24- of the housing 22 has a subbarrel 42 integrallyformed therewith. An aperture 44 formed therein admits pellets or thelike into the interior of the sub-barrel 42.

A follower mechanism for feeding pellets from the subbarrel 42 to thefiring mechanism includes a compression spring 46 disposed in one end ofthe sub-barrel 42 in axial abutment with a shot follower 48 whichpreferably comprises :an elongated finger of polyethylene or similarnatural or synthetic resilient materials. The shot follower 48, as bestshown in FIGURE 10, has a groove 56? formed in one end thereof for afollower tab 52 which extends outwardly from the sub-barrel 42 through aslot 54 formed therein. A small diameter protuberance 56 extending fromthe same end fits within the compression spring 46.

The sub-barrel 42 communicates with :a feed tube 60 which bends betweenthe -sub-barrel t2. and the firing mechanism of the pistol for feedingpellets thereto. Therefore, the shot follower 48 has a plurality ofgrooves 58 formed therein to impart a substantial flexibility to theshot follower 4 8 which extends into the feed tube 69', assuming theshape thereof.

To load the pistol, the follower tab 52 is moved toward the front end ofthe sub-barrel 4 2; compressing the spring 46 and moving the shotfollower 48 to open the aperture 44. BBs or the like inserted in theaperture 44- roll up wardly into the feed tube fill. Release of thefollower tab 52 causes the compression spring 46 to hold the shotfol-lower 48 in axial engagement with the pellets within the feed tube60.

The front housing portion 24 has an internal bracket 62 integrallyformed therein which carries a longitudinally extending inner barrel 64through which pellets are fired by the firing mechanism of the pistol 20through an aperture 65 formed in the end of the housing 22. The innerbarrel 64 extends into a rear chamber housing generally designated 66'.The rearward portion of the housing 22 has brackets 68, 70 integrallyformed therewith which carry the chamber housing 66.

The chamber housing 66 communicates with the feed tube 60 through anaperture 72 in the wall of the housing 66. A compression spring 74 inthe rear portion of the housing 66 axially abuts against a shot controlbutton 76 slidingly mounted in housing 66. The spring 74 holds thebutton 76 against a stop spring 78 which extends into a bore 80 in thechamber housing 66 through an aperture 8-2 formed in the wall of thechamber housing 66.

The chamber housing 66 has an aperture 84 extending throughout itslongitudinal length that receives one end of a main firing spring 86which extends into the bore 80 for catapulting or firing a pelletdisposed in front of the spring 86 in a manner to be described.

The firing spring 86 encircles a boss 88 formed in the housing 22 belowthe chamber housing 66. The other end of the spring 86 bears against anabutment 90' integrally formed in the housing 22. The housing 22 alsohas a pin 92 integrally formed therewith which carries a bumper 94preferably formed of rubber or a similar natural or synthetic resilientmaterial. The firing spring 86 engages the bumper 94 at the end of itsfiring path to reduce impact wearing of the housing 66 and the spring86.

The firing mechanism of the pistol 20 includes the trigger 30, thehammer 38 and a scar or latch generally designated 96. A draw link 98mounted on the hammer 38 and guided by a rod 99 extending transverselyin the housing 22 engages the firing spring 8 6 for pivoting it aroundthe boss 88 as the hammer 38 pivots around the pivot pin 36.

Brackets 100 and 102 are integrally formed in the stock portion 26 ofthe pistol 20 and carry a pivot pin 104 which pivotally supports thesear 96 with respect to the firing spring 86 and the hammer 38-. An arm105 formed integrally with the housing 22 holds the pin 104 in thebrackets 100, 102. A compression spring 106 mounted between the housing22 and a front leg portion 108 of the sear 96 holds the sear 96 againstthe spring 86 when it is in subsequently described pre-draw orready-to-cfire positions. A stop arm 110 extends laterally from thehousing 22 to prevent the leg 108 from blocking the rearward .or cockingmovement of the spring 8 6. The spring 86 contacts a forward cam portion112 on the sear 96 during its rearward movement to move the sear 96 toone side. Once the spring 86 passes over the cam portion 112 the sear 96is held against the stop arm 110 by the compression spring 106 and aface portion 114 thereon releasably holds the firing spring 86 in itsready-to-fire position.

The sear 96 has a rear leg portion 116 having a groove 118 which followsa cam projection 120 formed on the hammer 38 to release the main spring86. The trigger 30 has a head portion 122 which contacts a shoulder:1-24 on the hammer 38 when the hammer 38 is pivoted about the pin 36 asthe spring 86 is moved into a cocked position.

A coil spring 126' fastened at one end to a pin 128 formed integrallywith a housing '22 and at the other end to the hammer 38 returns thehammer 38 to the fired position. A resilient bent spring 1 30 connectsthe trigger 30 to a pin 132 formed integrally with the housing 22 forholding the trigger 30 against the hammer 38.

Toy pistols constructedin accordance [with the principles of the presentinvention are especially suited to quick draws by children for reasonsto be described.

FIGURES 1 and 5-7 illustrate a tired position with the firing spring '86disposed in the front portion of the tiring chamber 66. In order toreduce the time to cock the pistol 20 during a fast draw whilemaintaining the gun in an unloaded of safety position, the hammer 38 ispivoted rearwardly from the fired position until head portion 122 of thetrigger 30 is in engagement with the shoulder 124 on the hammer 38. Thisposition is illus trated in FIGURES 2 and 8. Pellets or BBs 134 disposedin the feed tube 60 are blocked from entering the rear chamber boresince the shot control button 76 and the spring 86 block the aperture72. Furthermore, a substantial pull must be exerted on the trigger 30*to release the hammer 38 since the full force of the spring 86 isholding the hammer 38 against the trigger 30. However, it is obviousthat a revolver having the main spring positioned in such a safety orpro-draw position can be quickly cocked to load the revolver and toplace the revolver in a ready-to-fire position.

To load a pellet or BB 134 into the bore 80, the hammer 38 is pivoted tothe extreme rearward position to cause the spring 86' to move the button76 away from the aperture 7-2 so that a BB 134 svill be pushed by theshot follower 48 into the bore 80. The diameter of the bore 8t) isreduced a substantial amount at the point where the aperture 72intersects. Therefore, after a pellet or BB 134 moves into the bore 80,the hammer 38 and spring 86 move forwardly until the spring 86 islatched by the notch 1 14 on the sear 96. The slight forward movement ofthe spring 86 pushes the pellet or BB 134 into a portion of the bore 80having a full diameter at a point near but spaced from the aperture 72.Thus, when the trigger 30 is released to fire the pistol 20, the pelletor BB 134 will be completely encased by the chamber housing 66 at apoint where the diameter of bore 80 is full sized. The completeencasement and full diameter prevent a pellet or BB 134 from jammingwithin the chamber housing 66. The loading step and the positioning ofthe pellet or BB 134 in a firing position are best illustrated inFIGURES 3 and 11.

When the revolver is in a ready-to-fire" position, the sear or latchassembly 96 engages the main spring 86 and the front portion of the drawlink 98 is positioned forwardly of the firing spring 86. The pistol 20is designed to fire from this position, because it gives the draw link98 a head start on the main spring or tiring spring 86'. It alsoreleases the main spring force on the draw link 98 which in turnreleases the force on the trigger 30, hammer 38, and reducm the triggerforce required to fire the pistol 20. The reduced trigger forceobviously reduces the time that it takes to fire the revolver at atarget during a quick-draw.

When the trigger 30 is moved rearwardly, the head portion 122 pivotsaway from the shoulder 124 on the hammer 38 causing the hammer 38 topivot forwardly. The forward motion of the hammer 38 causes the camprojection to strike the surface 118 on the rear leg portion 116,causing the face portion 114 to pivot away from and release the spring86. The released spring 86 acts as a catapult, moving forwardly aboutthe pivot pin 88 against the encased BB 134 for directing it at arelatively high velocity into the barrel 64 which directs the pellet orBB in a preselected direction. At the end of the firing path the spring86 will strike the resilient bumper '94.

The illustrated embodiment of a toy pistol constructed in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention has been found especiallysuited for practicing quick draws. The pistol retains the characteristicshape and size of a full scale weapon and has an efiective springcatapult firing mechanism for firing BBs or pellets at a high velocityfrom the pistol. Moreover, a toy pistol in accordance with the presentinvention, has a quick trigger action since the trigger torce is reducedto a low level, even though the spring catapult firing act-ion is theresult change Without departing from the invention herein disclosed iswell calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention, it will beappreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification,variations and proper scope or, fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is: I

said housing, a spring pivotally mounted on said housing,

, i 1. A toy pistolcomprising a housing, a chamber within I rearwardlyin said chamber when said hammer is pivoted in one direction, latchmeans releasably engaging said spring to prevent movement of said springin a direction opposite to said one direction and to operativelydisengage said spring from said hammer to reduce the trigger forcerequired to release said hammer when said hammer is in a predeterminedposition, and surfaces on said hammer and said trigger means forpositioning said hammer at a predetermined point to locate, the free endof'said spring at a point spaced from the forward end of said drawlinkwhen said latch means releasably engages said spring to preventinterference between said a portion of said spring extending into saidchamber tor propelling pellets disposed within said chamber, hammermeans pivotally supported on said housing, trigger means pivotallysupported on said housing releasably engaging said hammer means/forlocking said hammer means against pivotal movement in one direction,link means connected to said hammer means and operatively connected to,said spring for-moving said spring portion rearwardly in said chamberwhen said hammer means is pivoted in a direction opposite to said onedirection, latch means releasably engaging said spring "to preventmovement of said spring in said one direction and to operativelydisengage saidspring Iromsaid hammer means to reduce the trigger forcerequired to release said hammer means when said hammer means is in apredeten mined position, and means opei'atively connecting said hammermeans and said latch means for releasing said spring against a pellet insaid chamber.

2, A toy pistol comprising a housing, :a chamber within said housing, aspring pivot-ally mounted on said housing; a portion of saidspringjextending into said chamber for propelling pellets disposedwithin said chamber, hammer means p-ivotally supported on said housing,trigger means pivotally supported on said housing releasably engagingsaid hammer means for locking said hammer means against pivotalmovementtin one direction, link means connected to said hammer means andoperatively connected to said spring for moving said spring portionrear- ,wardly in said chamber when said hammer means is piv 'oted in adirection opposite to said one direction, latch means releasablyengaging said spring to prevent movement of said spring in said onedirection and to operatively disengage said spring from said hammermeans to reduce the trigger force required to release said hammer meanswhen said hammer means is in a predetermined position, and said hammermeans having a cam portion engaging said latch means for releasing saidspring when said trigger means is pivoted to fire the pistol.

3. A toy pistol comprising a housing, a chamber within said housing, aspring pivotally mounted on said housing,

a portion of said spring extending into said chamber for propellingpellets disposed within said chamber, hammer means pivotally supportedon said housing operatively connected to said spring for moving saidspring with respect to said chamber, trigger means pivotally supportedon said housing releasably engaging said hammer means for locking saidhammer means against pivotal movement in one direction, a sear having afront leg and a rear leg, said front leg having a face portionrestraining said spring when said hammer means is in a predeterminedposition, and said hammer means having a cam portion engageable withsaid rear leg for releasing said spring when said trigger means ispivoted to fire the pistol.

" Atoy pistol comprising a housing, a chamber within said housing, aspring pivotally mounted on said housing, a portion of said springextending into said chamber for propelling pellets disposed within saidchamber, a hammer pivotally supported on said housing,-trigger meanspivotally supported on said housing releasably engaging said hammer forlocking said spring inia partially cocked draw link and said spring whensaid spring: is released and means including said trigger means, saidhammer,

said chamber portion operatively coupled to said spring for selectivelyopening and closing said aperture,.a hammer pivotally supported on saidhousing, trigger means pivotally. supported on said housing releasablyengaging said hammer for lockingsaid spring in a partiallyicockedposition, a draw link connected to said hammer and operatively connectedto said spring for moving said free end of said spring rearwardly insaid chamber when said hammer is pivoted in one direction, latch meansreleasably engaging said spring to prevent movement of said spring in adirection opposite to said one direction and to operatively disengagesaid spring from said hammer to reduce the trigger force [required torelease said hammer, surfaces on said hammer and said trigger means forpositioning said hammer to locate said free end of said spring at apoint spaced from the forward end of said said firstibarrelcommunicating with said aperture, means in said second barrel forfeeding pellets into said chamber portion, a firing spring pivotallymounted on said housing, a free end portion of said firing springextending into said chamber portion for propelling pellets out of saidfirst barrel, a pellet stop spring mounted in said chamber portionbetween the outlet of said barrel and said aperture, a feed controlbutton biased against said firing spring movable into a first positionblocking said aperture and a second position opening said aperture, ahammer pivotally supported on said housing, a draw link mounted on saidhammer means operatively connected to said firing spring for moving saidmain spring and said feed control button awavfrom said aperture to feeda pellet between said firing springand said stop spring,

trigger means pivotally supported on said housing releasably en agingsaid hammer for locking said spring in a partially cocked position,latch means releasably enfrom interfering with said spring when saidspring is released, and said hammer'having a cam portion engaginghousing having one end communicating with said first aperture, meansdefining :a second aperture between the ends of said feed tube forloading pellets into said feed time, an elongated flexible stripslidably mounted in said pellets disposed within said chamber, hammermeans pivotally supported on said housing, trigger means pivotallysupported on said housing releasably engaging said as mer means forlocking said hammer means against pivotal movement in one direction, andlink means connected to said hammer means and operatively connected tosaid feed tube, spring means in said feed-tube for urging said elongatedflexible strip in a direction to block said second apertureand to forcepellets in said feed tube through said first aperture in said chamber,means for blocking the entrance of pellets into said chamber, a springpivotally mounted within said housing, a portion of said springextending into said chamber for propelling pellets disposed within saidchamber, hammer means pivotally supported on said housing, trigger meanspivotally supported on said housing releasably engaging said hammermeans for locking said hammer means against pivotal movement in onedirection, and link means connected to said hammer means and operativelyconnected to said spring for mov-. ing said spring rearwardly in saidchamber when said hammer means is pivoted in a direction opposite tosaid one direction to ooact' 'with said means for blocking the entranceof pellets into said chamber to permit the passage of a pellet throughsaid first aperture into said chamber.

8. A toy pistol comprising a housing, a chamber within said housing,means defining a first aperture rearwardly of said chamber, a partiallycurved feed tube within said housing having one end communicating withsaid aperture, means defining asecon-d aperture between the ends of.said feed tube for loading pellets into said feed tube, an elongatedstrip of resilient material slidably mounted in said feed tube having aplurality of transverse grooves for increased flexibility, spring meansin said feed tube for urging said elongated strip in a directionto'block said second aperture andto force pellets in said feed tubethrough said first aperture in said chamber, means for blocking theentrance of pellets into said chamber, a-

spring pivotally mounted within said housing, a portion of said springextending into said chamber for propelling spring for. moving saidspring rearwardly in said chamber --when said hammer means is pivoted ina direction opposite to said one direction to coact with said means forblocking the entrance of pellets into. said chamber to permit thepassage of a pellet through saidfirstaperture into said chamber. a

9. A toy pistol comprisinga housing-achamber within said housing, meansdefining an aperture rearwardly of said chamber, spring means mounted insaid chamber rearwardly of said aperture, a button slidingly mounted insaid chamber forwardly of said spring means and. urged zby said springmeans iintoia location at'which said button completely blocks saidaperture, an" elongated spring arm pivotally mounted within saidhousing, afree end'portion of said spring arm extendinginto said chamberfor-propelling pellets disposed within said chamber, hammer meanspi-vot-allysupported on said housing, trigger means pivotallysupportedon said housing releasably engaging said hammer means'tor locking saidhammer means against pivotal movement in one direction, link meansconnected to said hammer means and operatively connected to said springarm for moving said free end of said spring arm rearwardly in saidchamber to engage said button and move it rearwardly of said aperture topermit the insertion of a pelletthrough said aperture into said chamberforwardly of said spring arrn,and surfaces on said hammer means and saidtrigger means 10- cating said spring arm forwardly of said aperturefollowing the insertion of a pellet into said chamber to prevent apellet from jamming in said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 212,826Weaver Mar. 4, 1879 281,455 Clark July 17, 1883 395,798 Reason Jan. 8,1889 1,660,127 lonassen'flu; Feb. 21,1928

1. A TOY PISTOL COMPRISING A HOUSING, A CHAMBER WITHIN SAID HOUSING, ASPRING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING, A PORTION OF SAID SPRINGEXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER FOR PROPELLING PELLETS DISPOSED WITHIN SAIDCHAMBER, HAMMER MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID HOUSING, TRIGGER MEANSPIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID HOUSING RELEASABLY ENGAGING SAID HAMMERMEANS FOR LOCKING SAID HAMMER MEANS AGAINST PIVOTAL MOVEMENT IN ONEDIRECTION, LINK MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HAMMER MEANS AND OPERATIVELYCONNECTED TO SAID SPRING FOR MOVING SAID SPRING PORTION REARWARDLY INSAID CHAMBER WHEN SAID HAMMER MEANS IS PIVOTED IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITETO SAID ONE DIRECTION, LATCH MEANS RELEASABLY ENGAGING SAID SPRING TOPREVENT MOVEMENT OF SAID SPRING IN SAID ONE DIRECTION AND TO OPERATIVELYDISENGAGE SAID SPRING FROM SAID HAMMER MEANS TO REDUCE THE TRIGGER FORCEREQUIRED TO RELEASE SAID HAMMER MEANS WHEN SAID HAMMER MEANS IS IN APREDETERMINED POSITION, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID HAMMERMEANS AND SAID LATCH MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID SPRING AGAINST A PELLET INSAID CHAMBER.